What is physics?

The study of the physical world, including matter, space, and time, is known as physics.

What should I look for in an online physics school?

The best online physics schools should possess either regional or national accreditation from an accrediting body that is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

In addition, you can often recognize top online physics schools based on:

The school's name and status

The school's history

Teacher credentials

Alumni network

In choosing the best online physics school for you, you should consider the following factors:

Admission requirements

Residency requirements

Class and teaching style

Testing methods used

Course content and presentation

Program length

Class size

Student-teacher interaction

Technology use

Tuition and financial aid

Transferability of credits

Availability of a dedicated administration team and resources

What levels of online physics programs are available?

The following levels of physics degree online programs are available:

Online Physics Certificate Programs

Online Associates in Physics

Online Bachelor in Physics

Online Masters in Physics

Online PhD in Physics

How long does it take to get an online physics degree?

The amount of time it takes a student to earn an accredited online physics degree depends on the level of physics degree being pursued and the pace of the student.

Typically, the breakdown is as follows:

Online Physics Certification Programs - 6 months to 1 year

Online Physics Associates Degree - 2 years

Online Physics Bachelor Degree - 4 years

Online Physics Masters - 2 years

Online Physics PhD - 2 to 5 years

What are some examples of online physics courses?

The coursework for an online physics degree is based heavily in science and mathematics. Students with strong skills in these areas will benefit the most. Curriculum may include:

Electricity and Magnetism

Everything in the universe is essentially composed of electrical energy. In physics having a clear understanding of the nature of electricity and magnetism is essential.

Sound, Waves, and Light

Students will gain an understanding of the principles governing these three phenomena.

Kinetics

This course gives students a foundation and understanding of the complex physical laws that govern motion.

Mechanical Engineering

Students in this hands-on course will examine the application of physical science to the design and function of mechanical systems.

Calculus

For physicists, calculus is an invaluable mathematical tool and in this course is it thoroughly dissected.

What areas of physics specialization are available?

Physics is a very broad field of scientific endeavor and offers more unique opportunities for degree specialization than many other fields of study. Some of these include:

Nuclear Physics

Particle Physics

Biophysics

Astrophysics

Geophysics

What can I do with a physics degree?

What makes a physics degree so special is that it allows a graduate to find an excellent career in a very wide range of scientific professions. Possible occupations include:

Laboratory Technician

Engineer

Computer Programmer

Acoustic Technician

Astronomer

What is a physicist?

Physicists carry out scientific study of some aspect of the physical world.

What does a physicist do?

Depending on their field, physicists' exact activities vary, but all will spend some time conducting experiments or observing phenomena of interest and analyzing data they collect. Additionally, many physicists are educators in some capacity and may balance their time between research and teaching.

How much does a physicist earn?

The average annual salary of a physicist is $111,250. Predicted job growth in the field of astronomy is higher than average. While research positions are competitive on account of limited funding, physicists should be easily able to find employment related to their field.

How do I become a physicist?

The path of how to become a physicist is no easy one. Students require not only a strong background in physics and all the major branches of mathematics, but also a high grade point average for admission into graduate school. A post-graduate degree is usually necessary in order to find employment as a scholarly or professional physicist.

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